Location: Chiang Mai
Top Things to do in Chiang Mai
10 Museums in Chiang Mai That You Shouldn't Miss
You could spend your whole Chiang Mai vacation exploring the famous Night Bazaar. Once you’ve exhausted the art of the cheerful haggle, however, there’s plenty more to explore. The National Museum and Botanic Garden are great places to soak up some local culture and to breathe in the delicate fragrance of Thai orchids. In the city’s center, the remains of ancient walls embrace over 30 temples. Limber travelers can climb 300 stairs to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, an ornate Buddhist temple in the hills.
Restaurants in Chiang Mai
1. Pa-Da Cotton Textile Museum
2. Sbun Nga Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
3. C.A.P. Studio
4. Elephant Parade Land
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 106 reviews
Visitors can enjoy a behind the scenes tour of Elephant Parade’s art and production studio. Visit the museum and learn about elephants, their uniqueness, struggle and how we can all help these magnificent creatures. You will see full-size Elephant Parade statues from all over the world and choose your favorite from a collection of replicas. You can also create your own masterpiece at the workshop!
Reviewed By chuckc512 - Las Vegas, United States
This is more of a retail shop that supports the cause of elephant care and rehabilitation. Before we left for Thailand, we saw a documentary about a badly crippled elephant named Mosha who was treated by a veterinarian who specialized in prosthetic devices. It was an amazing story. The Elephant Parade land was started following his treatment and as a method of raising awareness and money for the cause of the great creatures. We saw baby elephant sized parade elephants in hotel lobbies and full sized parade elephants beautifully decorated in places around town. You could buy beautifully decorated elephants in a variety of sizes, all for a great cause. We love elephants so we bought 3 in different sizes and painted in styles that we liked (about $185). You will see them all around Chiang Mai and it worth a drop in to see what they do.
5. Jang Muang Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
6. Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 411 reviews
Reviewed By singhasam - Weymouth, United Kingdom
THIS museum is a Thai couple's incredible labour of love spanning fifty years. Their museum message is that they serve as a "house of reminders" displaying the precious gifts of nature and expressions of infinite beauty and wonder, caring for thousands of insects, butterflies, seashells, fossils, stones and many amazing rarities from Thailand and other countries. We had to ring a bell when we arrived to be let in, paying the 200 baht entry fee to walk into a museum experience unlike any I have ever had. Founder Manop Rattanarithikul worked with American scientists in the 1950s and it might be said that the museum grew out of he and his wife Rampa's love affair with mosquitoes which the Americans were conducting malarial studies on. Whatever the reason, Manop became the first Thai expert on mosquitoes and Rampa went on to become one of the leading medical entomologists in the world. Impressive stuff and so are the exhibits in the museum which offers everything from giant wasp nests to fossil fish and countless butterflies. So much is packed into two small floors of exhibits that you have to go slowly in case you miss something there are so many things to see. Not for the squeamish are some black and white photographs of various medical conditions which made you realise just how important early malarial work was. By the time we walked out more than an hour later I felt I had a much better grasp of this aspect of the natural world. I was also determined not to forget to put on my DEET that night to keep mosquitoes at bay when I went out! Fascinating place which is well worth a visit.
7. Wat Phra That Doi Kham (Temple of the Golden Mountain)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,528 reviews
Reviewed By DanW440 - Portland, United States
This is an area of much activity surrounding the hype and excitement of this amazing temple. It's beautiful and has so much to see - a very large and significant temple. Even though it was crowded we still enjoyed our visit. Lots of vendors abound so one can purchase items inside the temple walls as well as at the bottom of the long, long staircase. The usual dress code for sacred temples is expected, be sure to dress appropriately and be prepared to remove your shoes. Wondering the grounds for an hour and a half was more than enough time to see everything This amount of time spent allowed for beautiful pictures in daylight and in my opinion
8. Tita Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Coffee lounge, Art Gallery, Crafts and Premiums shop
9. Ganesh Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By MeAsNeptune - Cincinnati, United States
We made the mistake of only spending about 1 hour here. That's not long enough to really appreciate all the stellar art they have here. I'd recommend at least 2-3 hours. As a cultural Hindu, it was fascinating to see interpretations of Ganesh (and other Hindu figures) from Thailand and various other parts of the world. There is an exhibit in one of the buildings featuring a historical examination of the worship of Ganesh over the centuries that was particularly interesting.
10. Tiki Thai Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Step into an amazing world of fine Northern Thai handcrafts, intricate woodcarvings, sculpture, folk art, paintings & photography at TIKI THAI ARTS. The only gallery of it's kind, Tiki Thai Arts will amaze you with a wide spectrum of Asian crafts of incredible beauty and quality. Featuring and specializing in hand made works by Chiang Mai artisans using techniques passed down for countless generations. Native materials such as premium Golden Teak, Mango Wood, Tamarind and the like are transformed into exotic Siamese and Asian visions, coming to life in meticulously hand crafted works of art, each piece unique and a treasure to behold! Custom orders such as art frames, building ornamentation and mirrors are also a specialty. If your imagination is in bloom, nothing is too big or little to have created. Tiki Thai Arts is a fun place to visit whether simply to see and experience the unique beauty of Northern Thailand hand made wood carvings, or to find that "special something" destined to take it's place in your home, a work of art to cherish and enjoy, reminding you forever of your special journey to the "Land Of Smiles".
